Ikon bloodshed continues: Ellie Rogers and Leonie Kerley gone

In the aftermath of yesterday’s sudden departure of Ikon National CEO Dan Johns, STW has this morning confirmed the departures of two of his key lieutenants, the company’s national digital director Ellie Rogers and people and culture director Leonie Kerley.

Sources have also told Mumbrella that there have also been other senior departures including data analytics director Bevan Davies. STW says it unable to confirm this departure at the moment.

The company would not comment on the reasons for the departures but said it hopes to announce a new CEO as early as next week.

News of the changes at Ikon broke late last night with the company issuing a statement saying Simon White, the agency’s co-founder, had returned to the agency.

Ikon’s largest client CommBank was not consulted about the changes ahead of time but said that it has confidence in the management in spite of the departures of many of the company’s senior managers.

“They have a terrific leadership team over there and lots management breadth and depth,” said Andy Lark, chief marketing officer of the Commonwealth Bank. “We have no concerns at all. We do really good work with them, and don’t have any concerns – at this stage anyway. ”

Lark told Mumbrella that while he was now across the changes at the company he was not informed prior to the departure of national CEO Dan Johns.

“I’m familiar with everything going on over there,” he said.

“God no, no one consults us about the changes but we wouldn’t expect to be either.”

Nic Christensen worked for Mumbrella from 2013 to 2016, in roles including deputy editor and media & technology editor.
He is former media writer for The Australian and has also worked as a reporter for The Daily Telegraph and senior producer for Radio 2GB.